Porto goal-machine Jackson Martinez is in magnificent form for the Primeira League giants this season, and reports in Portugal and Italy today claim that Liverpool will move for the striker if Luis Suarez leaves Anfield this summer.
Last month, Portuguese newspaper Jornal Record claimed that Martinez - who has a €40m buyout clause in his contract - is on the Reds wanted list, and according to Spanish newspaper Marca today:
"Liverpool were about to sign him [Martinez] last season, but Porto moved faster and gave no option to the Reds.
"Liverpool could make a formal offer in the coming days if the the transfer of Luis Suarez to Atletico Madrid goes through"
Responding to rumours about Martinez's future last night, his agent, Giovanni Fiore, told reporters:
"There is contact with other clubs at a more advanced level, though Martinez is not going to Italy. For now I can not indicate which clubs are interested, but contact has already been made with clubs overseas"
The Reds have been linked with Martinez many times over last year, and prior to joining Porto in the summer, the Colombian striker confirmed the Reds' interest. He told Nuevo Estadio:
"I am not in any advanced negotiations with Liverpool but I know they are personally interested"
Since arriving at the Estádio do Dragão, Martinez - nicknamed 'Cha Cha Cha' - has scored goals for fun, and overall, his record for Porto is pretty formidable:
* 33 goals in 38 games.
* Recently scored in 10 successive games.
* 18 goals in the last 17 games.
* Recently broke a Falcao's record by scoring 11 goals in 12 matches for Porto.
The Colombian recently responded to speculation about his future when he told Portuguese newspaper OJogo:
"Sincerely, I have not spoken with anybody but this is a good thing for my performances in the Portuguese Liga. Rumours are normal because I am working with success in Porto and scoring goals but I am calm, if there are offers, it does not worry me"
In mid-March, Fiore, confirmed that Porto would consider offers for the striker, and claimed that top la Liga clubs are in the hunt. He told reporters:
"There's a strong interest from Barcelona [and] an important team from Madrid. A few other clubs have inquired about his availability, too. Porto will study offers, but we're talking about big bids here given the player's importance to the club."
Last week, Luis Suarez reiterated his desire to stay at Anfield, but offers will inevitably come in for the Uruguayan this summer, and there's no guarantee that he'll be at the club next summer.
Juventus recently put in a €28m offer for Martinez, which seems a more likely price than the €40m buyout, and if Suarez leaves - which, despite the denial of Reds fans, is a definite possibility - the Colombian could possibly be a top replacement.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Last month, Portuguese newspaper Jornal Record claimed that Martinez - who has a €40m buyout clause in his contract - is on the Reds wanted list, and according to Spanish newspaper Marca today:
"Liverpool were about to sign him [Martinez] last season, but Porto moved faster and gave no option to the Reds.
"Liverpool could make a formal offer in the coming days if the the transfer of Luis Suarez to Atletico Madrid goes through"
Responding to rumours about Martinez's future last night, his agent, Giovanni Fiore, told reporters:
"There is contact with other clubs at a more advanced level, though Martinez is not going to Italy. For now I can not indicate which clubs are interested, but contact has already been made with clubs overseas"
The Reds have been linked with Martinez many times over last year, and prior to joining Porto in the summer, the Colombian striker confirmed the Reds' interest. He told Nuevo Estadio:
"I am not in any advanced negotiations with Liverpool but I know they are personally interested"
Since arriving at the Estádio do Dragão, Martinez - nicknamed 'Cha Cha Cha' - has scored goals for fun, and overall, his record for Porto is pretty formidable:
* 33 goals in 38 games.
* Recently scored in 10 successive games.
* 18 goals in the last 17 games.
* Recently broke a Falcao's record by scoring 11 goals in 12 matches for Porto.
The Colombian recently responded to speculation about his future when he told Portuguese newspaper OJogo:
"Sincerely, I have not spoken with anybody but this is a good thing for my performances in the Portuguese Liga. Rumours are normal because I am working with success in Porto and scoring goals but I am calm, if there are offers, it does not worry me"
In mid-March, Fiore, confirmed that Porto would consider offers for the striker, and claimed that top la Liga clubs are in the hunt. He told reporters:
"There's a strong interest from Barcelona [and] an important team from Madrid. A few other clubs have inquired about his availability, too. Porto will study offers, but we're talking about big bids here given the player's importance to the club."
Last week, Luis Suarez reiterated his desire to stay at Anfield, but offers will inevitably come in for the Uruguayan this summer, and there's no guarantee that he'll be at the club next summer.
Juventus recently put in a €28m offer for Martinez, which seems a more likely price than the €40m buyout, and if Suarez leaves - which, despite the denial of Reds fans, is a definite possibility - the Colombian could possibly be a top replacement.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
